Let us Talk of Many Things; of Books and Queens and Pirates, of Mystery and Kings...

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

My Coffee Pot Book Tour Guest: Heidi Eljarbo - Whispers in the Snow

Welcome to my Blog!
Wander through worlds
real and fictional,
meet interesting people,
visit exciting places
and find good books
to enjoy along the way!

About the Book

Book Title: Whispers in the Snow

Series: Heartwarming Christmas

Author Name: Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 27th January, 2026

Publisher: independently published

Pages: 140 (PDF)

Genre: Historical romance mystery

Of course, a young woman in Norway during the late nineteenth century can be a successful amateur sleuth, and goodness knows, Cornelia’s days are always more exciting when she can devote her time to resolving a local mystery.

Cornelia Gran is a dedicated daughter, friendly and kind; although, she has an exorbitant amount of curiosity. She devours Arthur Conan Doyle’s magazine articles and tries to follow the fictitious Sherlock Holmes’s investigative examples, but her fascination with solving puzzles always gets her into mischief.

Each morning, Cornelia reads the newspaper, looking for a conundrum to solve. Searching for clues—and then chronicling her discoveries—thrills her. She certainly finds those activities more entertaining than taking her grandmother’s advice and attending one Christmas ball after another in search of a husband.

But chaos and danger turn Cornelia’s quiet days upside down when her attempt to find information about the owner of a nearby abandoned cottage takes her into dangerous territory. As winter winds rattle the windows and swirl snowdrifts against the doors, she faces off with a ghost, gets in trouble with the police, and finds herself staring down danger without thinking of the consequences. In the middle of it all, she meets Simon and is captivated by his charm, good looks, and personality.

Meanwhile, a real killer is after her, and he won’t stop until he gets information she doesn’t have! Christmas, with all its cheery festivities, hygge, and family traditions, has never been more threatened. Cornelia must call on all her investigative skills, not only to stop the ruination of her family’s holiday, but also to make certain Simon and his aunt keep what belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, the amateur sleuth will discover the meaning of true love.

Set in a fictitious town in Norway in 1891, this cozy historical mystery is perfect for those who enjoy curious and determined women sleuths, clean and wholesome romance, and the discovery of buried secrets in an abandoned house.

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/47a5Lj

This title is available on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Author Links:

Website:

https://www.heidieljarbo.com/

Twitter:

https://x.com/HeidiEljarbo

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/authorheidieljarbo/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorheidieljarbo/

Pinterest:

https://no.pinterest.com/heidieljarbo/

Book Bub:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/whispers-in-the-snow-a-charming-and-suspenseful-victorian-historical-romance-mystery-heartwarming-christmas-by-heidi-eljarbo

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Heidi-Eljarbo/author/B073D852VG

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245467367-whispers-in-the-snow

Newsletter:

https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter

Follow the tour:

Bsky: @cathiedunn.bsky.social

Twitter Handle: @HeidiEljarbo @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @authorheidieljarbo @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalMystery #RomanticMystery #HistoricalRomance #SweetRomance #BlogTour #NewRelease #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page:

https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/01/blog-tour-whispers-in-the-snow-by-heidi-eljarbo.html

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Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Yarde Reviews and Book Promotions: The Unquiet Spirit by Penny Hampson

Welcome to my Blog!
Wander through worlds
real and fictional,
meet interesting people,
visit exciting places
and find good books
to enjoy along the way!

About the Book

The Unquiet Spirit

(Spirited Encounters Book 1)

By Penny Hampson

Publication Date: 17th October 2025

Publisher: PP&M Publishing

Page Length: 245

Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance

Triggers: emotional abuse by partner

Praise:

“The Unquiet Spirit” by Penny Hampson is an enthralling paranormal romance that weaves together elements of mystery and the supernatural. In this captivating tale, readers are drawn into a world where love transcends the boundaries of life and death, unveiling a profound connection between the living and the restless spirits that linger in the shadows.

She wasn’t home alone...

With her love life in tatters, Kate Wilson needs a fresh start, and where could be better than the old Cornish house that had belonged to her godmother?

There’s just one problem – it comes with a ghost as a sitting tenant.

Her grumpy new neighbour, the broodingly handsome Tom Carbis, is another fly in the ointment – he seems to turn up wherever Kate goes. His dog might be friendly, but he’s definitely not.

Then the discovery of a hidden diary points Kate to a romantic mystery with links to both Tom’s family and her house’s past – a mystery that might explain the reason for her spectral lodger.

The downside? Kate needs Tom’s help to solve it and has to convince him that she is not his foe.

But working with Tom to unravel long-buried secrets has unexpected consequences, and Kate discovers far more than she bargained for.

The Unquiet Spirit is a spooky, suspense-filled, enemies-to-lovers romance.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bOvVaA

Read with #KindleUnlimited

Author Bio:

Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!

Social Media Links:

Website:

https://pennyhampson.co.uk/blog/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pennyhampsonauthor

Twitter / X:

https://x.com/penny_hampson

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pennyhampsonauthor

Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/pennyhampson.bsky.social

BookBub:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/penny-hampson

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18179693.Penny_Hampson

read an excerpt

Kate crouched down, wrapped her arms around her knees and closed her eyes, praying that she wouldn’t be found. She’d had a good head start, so with luck, he’d lost sight of her and given up the chase. Over the hum of distant traffic, the drumlike pounding of her heart thundered in her ears.

Seconds had passed while Kate held her breath, terrified of alerting her creepy follower and now her lungs were about to explode. At last, she dared to inhale, then counted to sixty before attempting a cautious peek over the rim of the skip, her stomach clenching at the sight of him pacing to and fro at the end of the alley.

Kate’s grip on the cold metal rim tightened, turning her knuckles white. It was definitely the same guy. Under the glare of the sodium streetlight he was easy to recognise with his leather jacket and distinctive shoulder-length hair. She swiftly ducked back down.

It seemed longer, but it was probably only a couple of minutes before she risked taking another peek. He was still there, peering up and down the street like someone who had lost his way. He was ignoring the narrow passage behind him – the location of her hiding place. Exactly what she’d gambled on. After all, what woman in her right mind would choose to run into a dark alley?

At last, he pulled out his phone and made a call; too far away to hear what was being said, Kate continued to watch him as he gesticulated with angry, jerky movements. Finishing his call, he shoved the phone back into his pocket and stalked out of Kate’s view.

Kate slumped down in a heap like a deflated balloon. Her heart was still hammering and it was several minutes before she was able to calm down and take in her surroundings.

How on earth had she vaulted over the rim of the skip? Mirth, fuelled by shock, bubbled to the surface. Fear had given her wings…either that or her gym sessions were paying off at last. She prodded a broken brick with her foot and quickly sobered up. A mattress covered the broken glass and builders’ rubble – her landing could have been very nasty.

The evening had started so well. She’d been out for a final drink with the girls. Her official leaving party had been held a few days before and had been a much more sedate affair. Well, one couldn’t invigilate a reading room in Oxford University’s Bodleian Library when three sheets to the wind. After tonight’s event, sore heads were definitely on the cards in the morning for several of her girlfriends. But Kate had stuck to drinking sparkling water after the first couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio, knowing that she needed a clear head. There was a lot of packing to do before Monday.

She’d spotted the guy early on, thinking he was one of the usual after-work crowd, but he’d remained apart, not speaking to any of the other guys lounging and joking at the bar. Leaning with one elbow on the counter, a foot hooked round a bar stool, he occasionally swigged his beer…and never took his eyes off her. Every time she looked over, he was watching… Not smiling, but staring.

At first, she was flattered; he was not bad-looking with his long floppy hair, smooth features, expensive leather jacket, and designer jeans. But she’d grown more uncomfortable as the evening wore on and he made no move to engage her in conversation. Emily had noticed too.

'You’ve got a fan,’ she’d giggled, nudging Kate in the ribs and indicating with her eyes to where he stood. ‘He’s been staring for ages. Wonder why he doesn’t come over.’

‘Me too. Probably shy. Anyway, I’m not interested. I’m off men, as you well know.’ Kate pulled a face. Yes, definitely off men. Robin had seen to that.

She’d avoided looking over at the bar for the next thirty minutes and it was only when she stood up to leave that she realised the guy had disappeared. It was her chance to slip away.

It took a while to say her goodbyes. There were tearful hugs, slurred demands to stay in touch, and much giggling when Emily fell over a bar stool, laddering her tights and upsetting somebody’s pint.

After making sure her friend was all right, Kate finally made it outside and breathed a sigh of relief. The cool evening air was a pleasant contrast to the stuffy, beer-fume-filled pub. Her mellow mood didn’t last long. By the time she’d walked up High Street and on to Cornmarket, prickles up her neck told her something was wrong. Pushing aside her uneasy feeling as imagination, Kate paused outside Gap to inspect the window display. A sideways glance alerted her to a figure hovering in a nearby shop doorway. Even though he was partly obscured by the milling passers-by crowding the pavement, she knew it was him by the shoulder-length hair and leather jacket.

Thinking quickly, she decided that this could be her chance to shake him off. She spun round and strode briskly up Cornmarket towards the Martyrs’ Memorial and St Giles; at the junction with Broad Street, she veered left into George Street. That’s when she’d started to sprint, planning to shake him off amongst the gaggles of students heading back to halls, and the throngs of patrons pouring out of the New Theatre. Darting into the alley – a familiar shortcut during daylight hours – had been a good decision. Spotting the skip and leaping in had been inspired.

Kate waited another fifteen minutes before hauling herself back onto the cobbled pavement. There was no point in taking chances; he might still be hanging around. Rapidly brushing the worst of the brick dust from her jeans, she set off on ungainly legs, wincing as her foot hit something slimy. There was a taxi rank at Gloucester Green. She could afford a cab now, thanks to her godmother.

My Thoughts

As someone who lives in Devon (next door to Cornwall) and in an eighteenth-century farmhouse with a selection of various friendly and welcoming ghosts (I kid ye not!) this story really appealed to me.

It is, perhaps, more of a 'will-they-won't-they' romance tale with the expected difficulties and misunderstandings from a neighbour, with the heroine surviving a previous broken relationship ... but that is the expected stuff of a romance tale. What makes this one delightfully different is the ghost.

The Unquiet Spirit is an enjoyable read, not fast paced throughout or crammed with twists and turns, but there is an intriguing mystery to solve, secrets to unravel and explanations to explore. It is absorbing and highly satisfying - recommended.

**** 4 stars